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Tijani Babangida has lamented Nigeria’s style of playing football, which he described as "kick and follow" under Gernot Rohr.

The Super Eagles were known for their style of play in Africa, with a lot of emphasis on wing-play, which has helped them win a number of laurels, including three Africa Cup of Nations titles.

The West Africans have heavily been criticized for not having a definite playing style under German tactician, Rohr.

Last month, the Super Eagles laboured to back-to-back draws against lowly-rated Sierra Leone in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. 

Babangida claimed Nigeria’s deviation from their football culture is the reason for their struggle to win games in recent times.

“We never knew Nigeria as a country that plays kick and follow football but we already lost our culture of football in Africa," Babangida told Punch. 

“We have our own culture of play, just like the Brazilians, and I believe only Nigeria and Brazil have that culture in football. But we have lost it.

“You will discover that whenever we play against any team with whatever tactics they come up with, they fall down easily when we start playing our game.

“Now we have changed and we are not looking for those kinds of players that suit the system. And then we find it difficult because we are playing the 4-4-2 defensive system and that’s why we are always having problems.

“Nigeria is a country with a lot of potential players and the only country that can compete with Nigeria in terms of potential is Brazil.

“We are almost the same as them and that’s why we were always beating other Africans or other nations when we played against them because we have the quality, we have the group and we also have the culture. But that culture is what we have lost.”

Babangida made 36 appearances for the Super Eagles during his playing years, scoring five goals before his retirement

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have confirmed new signing Saidi Ntibazonkiza has now been allowed to play for the team in the Mainland Premier League.

The Burundian forward was signed by the Jangwani giants before the mini-transfer window was opened on December 15, 2020, but he has now been cleared by Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) to play for the side.

Despite being signed in November, Ntibazonkiza has only managed to play for Yanga in a friendly in which they beat Singida United 3-0, with the striker notching a double while Deus Kaseke grabbed the third goal.

Yanga Media Officer Hassan Bumbuli has now confirmed they have received a clearance to use the player in their league matches and he will be in contention to start against promoted side Dodoma Jiji on Saturday.

“We have finished all his paperwork and now the player is free to play for us,” Bumbuli told reporters in Arusha. “It will now depend with the coach if he is ready to use him, he is with the squad in Arusha and everything is confirmed now."

On the team’s preparations, Bumbuli said: “We have had good preparations heading into the match against Dodoma, we were supposed to play against them in Dar es Salaam but we decided to shift the match to Arusha so that our fans in the town can also see the team in action.

“It is also a good chance for the fans in Arusha to see the new signing [Ntobanzokiza] in action, so we ask the fans to come out in large numbers and support us against Dodoma.”

In a recent interview, Ntibazonkiza vowed to help the team achieve the targets they set for the 2020-21 campaign.

“I’m happy to play for Yanga, they approached me in their quest to reinforce their squad and I said, 'Let me go for the challenge to see how we can build the team altogether,'” Ntibazonkiza said as quoted by Daily News.

“I will use my experience and with a combination of other experienced players, we will achieve the goal.

“I feel happy to see people appreciating what you do. It’s my first experience to play with Yanga but I see a bright future here,” said Ntibazonkiza, who has also played for Burundian giants Vital’O and also Kaysar Kyzylorda in the Kazakhstan Premier League.

On which team will stop Yanga from winning the title, Ntibazonkiza said: “Let’s see how it is going since I’m a new player I cannot say that, it’s is too early considering the fact that I have not yet played for a league match.”

Ntibazonkiza started to play football at Vital'O as an asylum seeker, when he came to the Netherlands in 2005. NEC were the nearest professional football club, and because of that, he trained with their youth team.

The Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS) has revised fines imposed on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) following the wrongful dismissal of Adel Amrouche in 2014.

Initially, FKF was ordered by CAS to pay the tactician Ksh109 million but in a document dated December 3, the amount has been revised to Ksh89, 440,268.

The court has outlined the charges accrued from the salaries of June and July 2014 plus 5% interest, compensation for breach of contract plus interest per annum since March 4, 2016.

FKF has also been given room to consider a partial payment to settle the fines with the former Harambee Stars head coach.

The federation, under Nick Mwendwa, has had to deal with cases of wrongful dismissals lodged by Amrouche and Bobby Williamson.

Under his watch, Mwendwa has employed five coaches; Stanley Okumbi, Paul Put, Sebastien Migne, Francis Kimanzi and the current man in charge of the senior team Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee. From Okumbi, who now handles the U20 side to Put, Migne and Kimanzi, none has so far come out to claim wrongful termination of their contracts.

Kenya were to pay the Algerian coach the Ksh109m or risk expulsion from the 2022 World Cup qualification. The coach, who is now in charge of the Botswana national team, expressed his disappointment should Kenya be banned, for not paying his dues.

“I don’t want to be that person who kills the dreams of our players,” Amrouche told Goal in a previous interview .

“Most of the players in the Kenyan squad are my former players and friends and it will hurt me most if they miss out on playing in the qualifiers just because my case against FKF brings sanctions from Fifa.

“I also, have respect for Kenyan supporters, they are good people, I enjoyed their support when I was the coach back in Kenya, I enjoyed their hospitality and will be offended to see them miss to watch and support their team during the qualifiers.”

Since leaving Kenya, the 52-year-old manager has handled USM Alger, Libya, MC Alger and now Botswana.

Kenya have been drawn alongside Ugandan, Rwanda and Mali in the first round of the World Cup qualifications.

Zesco United have moved to employ a foreign quota rule that will see a drastic reduction of foreign players at the Zambian Super League giants.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Mulenga has confirmed the club will now have five slots given to the foreign players at the end of 2021.

“I wish to inform our strategic stakeholders, especially Zesco United fans that we are mandated by the Zesco United Football Club board to reduce the number of foreign players to five by the end of 2021,” Mulenga said.

“This process has already started as part of preparations for us to reach this target."

Burundian international Enock Sabumukama has already left the club as Mulenga stated the business in the last transfer window was done with the new rule in mind.

“The club has put in place strategic measures to ensure that this process is executed smoothly,” the official added.

“For example, Kelvin Kampamba was strategically brought in to ensure that there is cover in midfield in case one of our midfielders left the club at the end of this year. Bruce Musakanya is another creative midfielder that the club recently signed to provide similar cover.”

The administrator also acknowledged the roles that have been played at the club by foreign talents. Zesco United have been a dominant side in Zambia in the last decade as they also qualified for Caf competitions in eight seasons.

“It is worth acknowledging that foreign players have had a positive impact on this club. They have contributed immeasurably to the growth and success of the club,” added Mulenga.

“However, it is also crucial for us to look at the cost of doing business in this current environment. Furthermore, there are strategic policies that the Football Association of Zambia is currently looking at. One of these is the introduction of foreign player quotas. As a club, we don’t want to be caught off-guard when these things are finally implemented.

“It remains our mission to bring the best players to Zesco. This change in policy will also give our home-grown players an opportunity to play for the biggest club in the land and a rare platform to shine at both local and international level.

“This is evident through the promotion of three home-grown players who have graduated from the Zesco United youth team to the senior side and currently playing first-team football.”

Kenyans at the club enjoy the giant share of the slots given to foreigners; Ian Otieno, David Owino, Jesse Were and John Makwatta are the Harambee Stars at the Ndola club.

Among the four, only Owino has been enjoying fewer minutes from last season.

Dieudone Ntibahezwa of Burundi, DR Congo’s Marcel Kalonda, and Thabani Kamusoko of Zimbabwe are the other foreigners at Timu ya Ziko.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is like an umbrella at AC Milan, according to CEO Ivan Gazidis – sheltering younger players from outside pressure and helping them develop.

The veteran Swedish striker has had a transformative effect since returning to San Siro, with Milan top of the Serie A table as the New Year nears.

Ibrahimovic is Milan's top scorer with 10 goals to his name this season but younger players like Jens Petter Hauge, Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao have also made important contributions.

“For me, it was a big challenge to come back here to try to change the mentality, to try to change the situation and to make the players understand what Milan was about,” Ibrahimovic recently told UEFA.

“When I play, I bring my character, my personality and obviously my quality onto the pitch. I put a lot of pressure on my team-mates, I try to get the most out of each of them.”

As far as Gazidis is concerned, Ibrahimovic’s presence has been a breath of fresh air.

"The thing I am very happy about is the leadership we are showing, not only in Zlatan who obviously is like an umbrella for all players, he feels comfortable withstanding pressure and helping young players to grow,” he told Sky Sports. “Zlatan continues to call himself Benjamin Button, continues to rejuvenate.

“It is very interesting, all the players who come to Milan want to win something and this will be a legacy that Zlatan will leave because he has won so much in football and it would be easy to live on his wages and enjoy life because he has nothing left to prove.

“But he came here understanding the meaning of our challenge. He's a different player than he was ten years ago; he doesn't run as much as he once did, but he has ten players around him ready to run for him.”

Milan’s apparent rebirth hasn’t only been a product of Ibrahimovic’s hard work, of course, and Gazidis was also keen to pay tribute to coach Stefano Pioli.

"He was fantastic putting all these players together, with a great sense of unity and a common goal. We are playing purposeful, attacking football; we have scored at least two goals in the last 14 or 15 games."

Iker Casillas has opened up about his relationship with Jose Mourinho during their time together at Real Madrid.

Friction between the two at the Santiago Bernabeu eventually led to a public falling-out, with club legend Casillas ousted from the first team and Mourinho eventually ousted from his position as manager.

Casillas says he wasn’t a fan of some of Mourinho’s off-field antics – particularly when he poked then-Barcelona manager Tito Vilanova in the eye – which contributed to their relationship deteriorating.

"There was a players' strike in August 2011,” Casillas explained in Colgar las Alas, a Movistar+ documentary.

“As the captain, I spoke to my team-mates and we decided that we weren't going to play which meant the opening games of the season wouldn't go ahead. We said a couple of things that neither of us liked and took badly but it was left there. Then came the Super Cup.

“We gave a terrible impression. There were scraps, battles, giving your heart and soul… but the other things (poking Vilanova’s eye) - that was the kind of thing you might see at other clubs - tacky clubs, who need to resort to that sort of thing, and that is not for us.

"We played Levante, a game in which we fell further behind to Barcelona. That was the moment when we stopped talking. We were alone together in a room and he starts telling me that I should be more open and honest.

“I told him that I didn't think it was right for a professional to poke another coach in the eye. Someone from the press department at the club grabbed us and told us to calm down, to talk it through. We sat down again and said what we had to say face to face.

"There were two or three games [in 2012-13] in which we didn't play well. That was when the old resentment resurfaced, when we fell behind in the table. Our relationship deteriorated. It had reached the point of no return by the third year.

“Up until the second year it was a love-hate relationship. He told me he didn't think I was focused, he didn't think I was playing well… I thought that maybe it was true. I had other things on my mind that I was worried about at the time.”

Nevertheless, Casillas says Mourinho was quick to get in touch with his best wishes when the goalkeeper suffered a heart attack in 2019.

"He called me, wished me the best. Those are the little things which I should focus on. Other people have made more out of the animosity than we have".

Daniel Amokachi has blasted the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for allowing a $2 million compensation clause in Gernot Rohr’s contract.

Rohr was appointed as coach of the Super Eagles in 2016 following Sunday Oliseh’s resignation as manager of the national team.

The former international, under whom Nigeria enjoyed an impressive stat of losing only two games in 14 matches, explained a number of reasons for resigning, including the failure of the federation to support him and also over his unpaid wages and contract violation.

Rohr guided the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with ease but failed to progress past the group stage.

Nigeria, under former international Stephen Keshi, had played in the round of 16 of the 2014 edition of the global tournament, a year after winning the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

Rohr’s side managed to finish third at the 2019 Afcon in Egypt and was handed a new deal after the federation revealed their satisfaction with his performances.

The Super Eagles recently failed to beat lowly-rated side Sierra Leone in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the former Burkina Faso boss has heavily been criticized for the not-too impressive performances from his side.

Special assistant on sports to Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari, Amokachi, revealed Rohr’s contract contains a huge $2 million compensation clause and has lambasted the federation for the deal.

“For the administration to bring somebody like Oliseh and not giving him time because he’s Nigerian and they let go,” Amokachi told Brila FM.

“To bring in somebody like Amuneke and not giving him time then they let him go. Then you bring a new coach where those two coaches are far better than him; pedigree-wise and portfolio-wise.

“But still, they gave the machinery a lot of money, $60 plus with all the bonuses, if they play two matches in a month, then you’re talking over $100,000.

“And then at the end of the day, you put a $2m clause on a coach that has never won anything. A coach that came from Burkina Faso to Tunisia then to Nigeria and you put a $2m clause, that’s the first I’m hearing such.

“If you were bringing Guardiola you can put $10m if he says he wants it because you know who he is; he has won laurels. But for a coach that has not done anything, not achieved anything and you put a $2m clause? There’s a lot of failure in that.

“I’ll not rate them (NFF) out of 10, but all these things I’ve broken down will tell anybody with common sense where I’m coming from.”

Nigeria’s qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon has now been delayed following their back-to-back draws with Sierra Leone and should they lose their next two qualifying games, they could end up not qualifying for the continental tournament.

The move to Portugal to be with Portimonense SC on loan for a season was thought to be the springboard for Safawi Rasid to embark on a long and successful journey into European football but that plans will have to be put on the backburner for now.

Still yet to feature in any form for the Portuguese side in league or cup competitions, although Safawi has thus far made the bench in the last four consecutive matches. While there are still plenty of matches left to play in the Primeira Liga, it looks like a decision has been made to cut short his time with Portimonense.

This was confirmed by HRH Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (TMJ) during the television program Bola @ Mamak where he revealed that the 23-year-old will be part of the JDT squad for the 2021 season as well as images emerged that the Portimonense squad may have already said their farewells to Safawi.

"I think Safawi will return, so he will be with JDT for the 2021 season, 100%.......So in all probability, I might have Safawi, Sumareh and Ariff on the right with Cabrera, Ramadhan and Akhyar on the left - which isn't too shabby!," mentioned TMJ when asked about the squad planning for the new season of Malaysian football.

No proper explanation has been offered as to why this decision to cut short the loan has been made and it will be a huge disappointment to many local fans who wants to see Safawi make a name for himself among the elite of world football. 

It could well stem from the fact that Safawi hasn't got an opportunity to feature yet be that because he is still adapting to the team and the environment or perhaps even because the current coach Paulo Sergio upon closer inspection, does not feel that the player is up to his requirement.

In the same program, TMJ also went on to praise new signing Danial Amier, revealing that the club has coveted the central midfielder for awhile now. However that does not mean that the Southern Tigers are completely satisfied with their midfield options with Major League Soccer player, Issac Angking also on the radar.

"Danial is a young player with a lot of talent who I’m really excited to see in JDT. Of course all players need time, some more than others and he will get that. Isaac Anking who has contacted us and we are looking to see if he can fit into the team because we have a lot of players in that position," added TMJ.

Malaysian international Mohamadou Sumareh is another player that is of interest to JDT but a discussion will have to be had with Pahang over the current Police Tero FC player after the manner in which the Gambian-born departed from Pahang left a sour taste with the management as TMJ intent to keep relationship cordial with their neighbours.

Having earlier announced the signing of Camilo Sanvezzo, the player has since decided to stay put in Mexico which forced JDT to look for a replacement and TMJ indicated that they are close to agreeing a deal with a 28-year-old Argentine striker.

Thinking even into the 2022 season, TMJ shared that the possibility of Endrick dos Santos qualifying for a Malaysian citizenship will also make the midfielder a probable signing for the 7-time Malaysia Super League champions.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) midfielder Haruna Niyonzima is confident they will be crowned the Mainland Premier League champions by the end of the current campaign.

The Jangwani giants are currently topping the 18-team team league table with 37 points from 15 matches and are still the only unbeaten side in the division.

Speaking after extending his stay with the club for another one-year, the Rwandan star has now said he is confident they have what it takes to wrestle the title from rivals Simba SC.

“I am at Yanga at the moment and I am very happy to here, my belief is to see that we achieve the goals we set for ourselves to achieve in this campaign, and the most important one is to win the league title,” Niyonzima told reporters after signing the new deal.

“We need a championship and that is clear, we believe we will achieve those goals.”

Yanga are preparing to take on promoted Dodoma Jiji in their next league match which they have shifted to Arusha from Dar es Salaam.

On moving the match, the club’s Information Officer Hassan Bumbuli said: “We have a big fan base in Arusha that is why the game has purposely been transferred to be played there. It is our hope that people will turn out in big numbers to cherish their team.”

Bumbuli also confirmed new signing from Burundi Saidi Ntibazonkiza will have the chance to play in Arusha and this will be a good opportunity for club fans in the town to see him in action.

The striker signed for the Jangwani club for an undisclosed fee and will now be eligible to play for the team on the day since the mini transfer window is set to be opened from December 16 to January 15.

Yanga coach Cedric Kaze, who is still unbeaten since joining the side as a replacement for Serbian Zlatko Krmpotic, has said they will now take it a game at a time as they strive to win the title.

“We are taking it a game at a time, we don’t want to start premature celebrations, we still have a long way to go and we must not get carried away just because we are sitting on top of the table.

Yanga’s closest rivals Simba are second while Azam are third on the log.

Arsenal are almost ready to welcome Gabriel Martinelli back to the first-team fold, according to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta.

The 19-year-old forward has not featured since March after suffering a serious knee injury but recently made his comeback for the club’s Under-21s.

Five points above the relegation zone a third of the way through the Premier League season, Arsenal are desperate for inspiration and Arteta says Martinelli has provided a fresh injection of energy and enthusiasm in training.

“Gabriel Martinelli is very close to being available and fit to be part of us as well, which is great news,” Arteta told a press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Everton.

“Gabi is pure enthusiasm, energy, belief, charisma and goals. And this is him.

“He's around the training ground and he's around our training sessions and the energy is different because he goes 100 miles per hour.

“He's got this passion in his way of playing and he is a threat. He's a player that we've been missing because he brings something special to the team.

“He's contagious with his attitude and I think it's going to be a big boost when we have him.”

Martinelli made his mark in 2019-20 with six goals in the Premier League and Europa League, including one particularly memorable individual effort against Chelsea.

Over the summer, he signed a new long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium which will reportedly keep him at the club until 2024.

"I want to win the Champions League and lots of domestic titles to make Arsenal’s fans very happy," he told FourFourTwo back in April.

"They deserve the best – not only the supporters but all of the club’s staff. I’d like to give back to the club after everything they’ve done for me so far and, as a result, become a Gunners legend."

Arsenal will need all the help they can get as they end a rollercoaster year with a difficult run of fixtures.

Following the Premier League game with Everton, they face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup before a home fixture with Chelsea and a trip to Brighton.

Kenya international Michael Olunga scored yet again in J1 League action on Saturday as Kashiwa Reysol went down 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday.

Olunga gave Kashiwa Reysol the lead before Yusuke Segawa made it 2-0 but the champions rallied back and earned goals from Akihiro Lenga and Leandro Dameao.

The former Thika United star got his 28th goal in the 14th minute when he was picked in an advanced position, negotiated his way past one marker and beat Kawasaki Frontale’s goalkeeper Jung Sung-Ryong to slot home under no pressure.

Segawa doubled the lead in the 46th minute for Kashiwa Reysol before Lenaga scored the visitors' first two minutes later. Damiao equalised in the 55th minute before Lenaga registered his double in the 81st minute.

Olunga is on course to win the Golden Boot after missing from the J2 League when he finished the season as the runners’ up in the race.

The former Tusker striker carried his stellar form to the first division where he has already scored one more goal than he managed in the J2 League.

“I knew it was going to be a tough year especially having scored 27 goals in the previous season, a lot was expected from me. I came prepared, ready to work hard,” Olunga said previously in anticipation of challenges in the top-tier.

Since the 26-year-old striker was named in the October team of the month when he scored six goals – of which four of them came from two matches, he has remained in good form through November and now December.  The centre-forward was on target twice when Kashiwa Reysol defeated Yokohama FC 3-0 on October 3.

He also registered a brace against Vissel Kobe on October 10 as his side picked up a 4-3 win against the league rivals. His stellar form also saw him get a goal against Shonan Bellmare on October 18 and the last goal of that month came against Gamba Osaka, although there was Kashiwa Reysol on October 24.

The former Gor Mahia star was not available for Kenya’s Africa Cup of Nations November qualifiers against Comoros. Harambee Stars were consequently denied vital points by the Islanders after a 1-1 home draw and a 2-1 away loss.

JS Kabyle’s Masoud Juma, who scored in Nairobi, and John Makwatta of Zesco United were deployed against Comoros in the absence of the towering striker.

Kashiwa Reysol will conclude the season with a game against Tokyo FC on January 4 as Olunga hopes to wrap the Golden Boot race. His closest challenger Everaldo Stum of Kashima Antlers has 18 goals.

Jordan Henderson has guaranteed himself a statue outside Anfield one day with his achievements as Liverpool captain, according to former Reds boss Roy Hodgson.

After leading his side to the Champions League in 2019, Henderson this year became the first Liverpool captain to lift the Premier League trophy, ending a 30-year wait for an English top-flight title.

Hodgson left Liverpool before Henderson arrived from Sunderland in 2011, but coached him during his time as England manager.

“He's an exceptional player, one who works exceptionally hard at his game and one who has got consistently better,” Hodgson said.

“In 2012, when he'd just moved to Liverpool, we took him with us for his first England trip in the Euros to Poland and Ukraine. He was a very different player to the one he is today.

“He's worked so hard on his game to become the lead figure at that club. He works hard on his game technically and tactically as well. I'd certainly support his candidacy for BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

“I tend always to vote for football people because that's my world and I know the people in football, so I'm pleased he's nominated and I wish him all the best for that.

“Certainly a lot in his life will be of a very high standard at the moment in terms of his satisfaction because to lead Liverpool to their first trophy after so many years and to do it in such spectacular fashion, that's already guaranteed his statue outside Anfield one day.”

Hodgson had already started his managerial career when Liverpool last won a league title, but he didn’t want to compare Jurgen Klopp’s team with the Liverpool sides of yesteryear.

“Liverpool in the 80s were a wonderful team and you can't really compare - the danger with comparisons is always the distance. In the past it gives it a bit more of a magical appeal,” he said.

“They were two fantastic Liverpool eras and the last one went on for a very long time. The team that Bill Shankly started was carried on by Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan and was unbelievably successful.

“I'm sure Liverpool are hoping this next era is going to be just as successful. In terms of quality, the 80s team and the 2019 team, you are talking about two first-class sides.”

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has refused to rule out a move to La Liga champions Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Salah has been a revelation since joining Liverpool from Serie A side Roma in 2017, spearheading the Reds to Champions League and Premier League glory.

The Egypt international's exploits have not gone unnoticed at Anfield amid speculation linking him with Spanish giants Madrid and Barca.

Asked if he could rule out a transfer to either of the La Liga powerhouses, Salah told Diario AS: "I think Madrid and Barcelona are two top clubs. 

"Who knows what will happen in the future, but right now I am focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League with Liverpool again."

Pressed on his future and how much longer he sees himself playing for Liverpool, Salah replied: "That's a tough question, but right now I can say that everything is in the hands of the club. 

"Of course I want to break records here and, I repeat, all the club records, but everything is in the hands of the club."

Salah has scored a joint-high 11 Premier League goals for reigning champions Liverpool this season, following his strike in the 2-1 win over rivals Tottenham midweek.

The 28-year-old has netted 14 across all competitions as leaders Liverpool prepare for Saturday's trip to Crystal Palace.

In 21 Premier League appearances in December, Salah has scored 17 goals and assisted a further nine, averaging a goal or assist every 66 minutes. It is his best goal involvement ratio in any month in which he has played more than one game, as per Opta.

"I would like to break all the club records, that would be fine. But yeah, it's like I said, the team comes first before any record," Salah said. "But breaking records and winning matches, that's great too."

Liverpool top the table by three points, ahead of Tottenham after 13 games, and Salah added: "I think it is a bit early to say that [Liverpool are title favourites], but yes, we are doing well just like other teams. 

"I hope we have the best chance of winning it."

Everton will host Arsenal with Richarlison looking to score in consecutive Premier League appearances for the first time since February 2020, when the second game in this run came against the Gunners.

Everton vs Arsenal Latest Odds

Everton haven’t won their final league match before Christmas in any of their last six seasons (D2 L4) and have been tipped to end the poor record with a win at (2.45) with BigiBet.

Arsenal have won more Premier League games (34) and scored more Premier League goals (110) against Everton than they have versus any other opponent in the competition and another victory has been valued at (2.85).

A draw between the Toffees and the Gunners has been tipped to occur at (3.50).

Everton vs Arsenal Team News

Lucas Digne is set to miss the game against Arsenal as he recuperates but Carlo Ancelotti may draft Seamus Coleman into the starting line-up on Saturday. James Rodriguez is expected to miss out again after being unavailable for the last two games.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Andre Gomes could be partnered again in midfield given that Allan is expected to miss out, adding to Ancelotti’s headache.

Mikel Arteta will do without Thomas Partey and the trip to Merseyside has come too early for Gabriel Martinelli. Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Magalhaes are the Arsenal stars on the suspension list.

Hector Bellerin will be available after a one-match ban and Alexandre Lacazette could also be started after missing the mid-week game.

Everton vs Arsenal Preview

Arsenal have lost eight of their last 12 Premier League matches kicking off at 17:00  (W3 D1), although one of their wins in that time was a 5-1 victory over Everton in February 2018.

Arsenal have won just 14 points from 13 Premier League games this season, their lowest tally at this stage of a top-flight campaign since 1974-75 (nine pts – assuming three pointer per win). Indeed, Arsenal have picked up just one win in their last nine Premier League games (W1 D2 L6).

Everton manager Ancelotti has lost his last three matches against Arsenal in all competitions – in his managerial career he has only lost four times in a row against an opponent once previously, doing so against Inter Milan between 2009 and 2018.

Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has scored four goals in his four Premier League starts against Everton, though all of these goals have come at the Emirates.

Everton vs Arsenal Tips and Predictions

Everton have kept a clean sheet in each of their last two home Premier League games against Arsenal (W1 D1) while the Gunners have scored just twice in their last five away league games (W1 D1 L3). Bettors can therefore take an offer of under 1.5 goals at (4.00) with BigiBet.

Under 1.5 goals at (4.00) with BigiBet.

Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC) head coach Mike Mutebi is understood to have contracted coronavirus ahead of the Caf Confederation Cup game against AS Kigali of Rwanda.

Mutebi, among the key players, according to Football256 returned positive tests before engaging in the first round of the Confederation Cup. The publication reports Mutebi, as well as his 12 players, were informed of the tests after they had faced Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) in a Premier League match on Friday.

The Kasasiro Boys were defeated by the tax collectors at the MTN Omondi Stadium to mark a second consecutive defeat for the 2019 league champions.

Charles Lukwago, Denis Iguma, Kezironi Kizito, Brian Aheebwa, Stefano Mazengo, Samson Kigozi and Hassan Musana are said to have returned positives tests ahead of the crucial game against the Rwandan side. Hassan Matovu, an unused substitute against Sam Ssimbwa’s side, is also on the list of the players infected.

Assistant coach Badru Kabuye, goalkeeping coach Moses Oloya and first-team coach Jackson Magera are among the members of the technical bench who are also infected by Covid-19.

Football256 further reports that some players on the list had returned negative tests before they played URA before learning of the positive test after the Friday encounter.

The players and staff have been asked to undergo self-isolation further complicating the Confederation Cup plans for December and January. They will now wait for results from the following tests to confirm whether the infection in the camp is widespread.

Mutebi had exuded confidence that his side was ready for AS Kigali but injuries and the reported cases of coronavirus in his camp could have just come at the worst time.

“We are prepared and before we play AS Kigali, we would have played league matches including the last one against URA FC so that is going to give us good preparation,” Mutebi said in an earlier interview.

“But already, we are preparing well and of course we are playing the league matches and since this is a marathon, we are flowing along and the team that is playing well, has tried to do things right, is the team we are going to use.”

Gift Ali, Julius Poloto, Sadat Anaku, and John Revita are the players who have been sidelined by injuries, making KCCA's squad very thin.

On December 18, exactly two years before they are set to hold the final of the 2022 World Cup, Qatar unveiled the fourth stadium for the marquee event - the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium in Al Rayyan. 

Also the Qatar National Day, December 18 marked yet another milestone in the Arab nation's preparations for the world's biggest footballing festival. They have now inaugurated four out of the eight planned venues for the World Cup. And in the process, they have proved their steely resolve and commitment to the beautiful game even in between what can only be called a challenging period for the sport all over the globe. 

And the commitment goes beyond just delivering the 2022 World Cup projects on time. Qatar are proclaiming to the continent and the world at large that they can be counted upon to support the game of football, nevermind the obstacles. 

The country has faced several challenges, from an economic blockade to Covid-19. However, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) has put in concerted efforts to ensure the projects have not suffered. 

Now, they have gone a step further. 

The entire world has been affected by the turbulence that has been set off by a pandemic that has had an unprecedented impact across all areas, not just sport. Economic growth has stagnated across the globe, with countries slowly recovering now. 

Sporting calendars were thrown into dustbins and projects were shelved. But Qatar has offered a stable presence in the midst of all this. 

To take an example, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had been in a predicament, having had to cancel their entire international schedule in 2020 and were not in a position to hold their marquee club competitions as well - the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup. 

While the AFC Cup was shelved by the AFC due to the restrictions thrown up by the pandemic, doing the same with the AFC Champions League would have resulted in huge financial losses for the continental body. It was Qatar who offered a helping hand to the AFC and hosted the West Zone and East Zone tournament after implementing a bio-bubble and Covid-19 protocols. 

The tournaments were conducted without incidents and the grand final is set to take place on Saturday with Iran's Persepolis taking on South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai. For clubs, players and fans, what would otherwise have been a year of disappointment, Qatar offered a chance to return to a measure of normalcy, at least on the pitch. 

And that is not all. The Middle-East nation will also host an Arab Cup in 2021 as they prepare for the 2022 World Cup. Qatar's emergence as a sporting hub in Asia cannot be ignored. Doha was selected as the hosts for the 2030 Asian Games earlier this week as well.  

The Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, perfectly encapsulated Qatar's rise in profile when he stated, "On the National Day of our country, I congratulate our people on this occasion, which comes in a year of challenges, but is a testament to the process of giving and the achievements that have been achieved over generations and at all levels, and has made Qatar an oasis of stability, development and prosperity."

An oasis in the middle of turbulence, indeed!